The promise...

At the heart of Christology is a promise: Jesus will return.

No matter when and how, this is sure: He will return. This promise never fails to prompt an expectation in our hearts and the urgency to respond. Many Christians wonder what the implications of this promise are and whose words of the future they should believe. Contemplation on this fact also causes us to reflect on our own lifestyles, religion and aspirations, as well as challenges the way we have planned to live our lives. Furthermore, we become more aware of the perils of lukewarm faith, wordliness and falling away from God's paths of righteousness.

God is a God of purpose. Therefore, while the Enemy often takes advantage of our uncertainties regarding this promise, our failures and fears, I believe that even the suspense is God-intended. No matter what view each earnest, submissive Christian holds onto regarding the second coming of Christ, the suspense is perhaps a form of God's grace to us as we wait.

First, the suspense seems to humble us so that we would look to God as we wrestle with a crucial dialectic to find the balance between seeking growth in the present and getting in position for the future. When we look to God, we find a reason to live to the hilt of every circumstance we are in today while looking forward to tomorrow. Therefore, we would endure in hope.

Second, the suspense should rouse the fear of the Lord in our hearts as we are reminded of His sovereignty and holiness. Like Isaiah, when we become painfully aware of how short we fall of God's glory, He meets our remorse with grace by reminding us of what Jesus has done for us the first time He came. We remember Christ - the true source for being refashioned - and therefore we hold in balance yet another dialectic tension between our statuses of sinners and saints through faith in Christ.

Third, the suspense should keep us on our toes in fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ, knowing that faithfulness is expected of us whether or not we are sent to people who treat us well. It would be very difficult to be faithful to God's calling if we are not able to love and therefore, we work hard to deny our silken selves. Ultimately, this quest drives us to first seek God. To teach us to love, God enables us to know Him - as He is Love (1 John 4:8).

In conclusion, I believe that the suspense of Christ's returning is God's grace to Christians as we learn hope, faith and love that enable us to persevere in these last days... and finally, these enable us to await the fulfilling of the Great Promise with eager expectation.

Wednesday

Children & Spirituality assignments all handed up. *Major relief* Thank God.

Now for the next mountain to climb: Evangelism & Discipleship... Hopefully I'll finish this in a few days - then I'd be able to complete my final HCD paper before I go off on my expedition into the jungles of Sarawak...

A little back-tracking...

Last Saturday, we had Young Adults Bible Study at William and Janet's cozy abode following a nice home-cooked dinner courtesy of William. We also wanted to celebrate Sau Chan's birthday. After Bible Study, the cake was revealed.... :)

The birthday girl

Choc-cheese cake...

Thus began the November marathon of celebrating birthdays...

Dinner with Lydia: Friday, 29.10.2010

Lydia is the leng-lui next to the geeky-looking girl in pink above...

The geeky-looking girl with her fiance...

*Chit-chat*

Ben's Diner: Monday

Yes... I couldn't wait anymore. Celebrated Ben's birthday in advance (before Church Planning Retreat and the weekend hullabaloos come in, end of this week). We dined in Ben's Diner (at Sunway Tunas) on Monday night... a simple but pleasant affair.

Hot Almond Tea and iced Calamansi

They've got really good cream of mushroom soup... We ordered garlic toast to accompany the soup. They made an awesome combination! :)

Ben's dish arrived first: Salmon in Caper Sauce...

My spicy snapper came next...

So fast... gone?!?!? Can I have more please...?

Have to be content with the almond tea...Yummy it was!

Tuesday

Struggling to keep up with the pace of life. *Inhale* *Exhale* *Inhale* *Exhale*

But thank God, I am surviving. Therefore, I am very glad to say that this is my last week at MBTS this year.

Next year, January, I return as a student in the Master of Christian Studies. It means graduation end of 2011, more quality in assignments and more time with God. It also means that I'd have to slowly start moving into the work I'd be embarking on once I am done with my masters... If this means having to travel more, then traveling is what I'll be doing on a more frequent basis. If this means having to spend more time at home, then let it be so. If this means having to put more effort into writing, then that's what I'm gonna do.

In other words, next year is going to be an exciting year on the whole. It's exciting to be unconventional (because that's generally the pattern for my life - I am not saying that we need to be unconventional all the time) while prayerfully taking every step. It's exciting to take time to wait...rather than rush into great conquests just because I fear that I'd miss out on great opportunities. It's also exciting when it is time to step out in faith and embark on new things, when you clearly know that God is leading you to it. Perhaps, these 7-8 years in God's School of Waiting has been good discipline for me. I am slowly learning not to be the careless and impulsive opportunist I've always been all my life - and walk according to God's timing. While I still have got much to learn, it has been awesome so far.

OK. Back to assignments and meeting deadlines... ttyl!

Monday

Wet, cold and shivery. Such a rainy day. They predicted floods in Penang, but thankfully, I have not experienced any yet.

Something I'd love right now: A cup of hot Milo... overflowing with heaps and heaps of the chocolate malt powder.

Thanks to Eunice Ong's brilliant discernment of my musical sense, I can now listen to Laura Fygi's jazz serenades while I cruise down the roads of Penang... mmm... :) Awesomeness! Today, Laura Fygi sang in time to the rain pelting my windscreen as I drove through the more 'historical' part of Penang, pass the monuments. The poetic words seemed to deepen in their meaning as I allowed the music and scenery to mingle. How therapeutic is that!?

Ben and I had an eventful weekend, especially in terms of being involved in the lives of our friends. It's been really good. I am so grateful for such beautiful opportunities to minister along-side Ben and more thankful than ever that he's in the marketplace while I have opted for more involvement in full-time discipleship work. I think these work together to bring out the best in our individual service unto the Lord as well as the marriage mission unique to us. I have learnt alot from Ben in ministry to the non-Christians. At the same time, I am often amused when I see him so gentle to the hurting... rather unlike his usual, humorous self. Then again, it makes me appreciate the tender side of him more ~ and I fall in love with him all over again...

*Swoon* Wait... does that have anything to do with ministry? :P

I digressed.

Anyway, Lydia came over to Penang last weekend. It was so good to see her. Ben and I took her to 'No Eye Deer' restaurant for dinner... and we wound up at the Esplanade for a little sea-breeze and prayer. Sweet moments indeed :) Lydia, love you loads...and thankful for our beautiful friendship. May God continue to teach us great lessons through one another.

Sau Chan, blessed birthday!